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Magali Mouton

The Surprising History of New Years Resolutions and How to Keep Them

By: MAGALI MOUTON/ STAFF REPORTER

2022 has almost come to an end... which means Christmas, New Year’s Eve and a happy New Year!


2023 is only days away, and most people are probably thinking “New Year New Me” but why? How will you change from the person you were in 2022 to the person you want to become in 2023?


The Babylonians are credited as the originators of the “New Year New Me” concept.


The Babylonians were celebrating the New Year during a festival called Akitu. This was the start of the farming season, and the main resolution was the return of borrowed farm equipment.


Then, the ancient Romans followed the traditions with the Julian calendar in 46 B.C that declared Jan. 1 as the start of the year.


January is not a name chosen by coincidence since the month was named after the two-faced Roman God, Janus. This is so because the Roman because they were looking forward to new beginnings, while also reflecting on the past.


Since then, making resolutions has become a real tradition, especially in the United States, where people of all ages begin to think of resolutions to prepare themselves for the new year.


LIU junior Rea Shehu stated, “I would say taking it easy on myself, because this year has been tough for me, especially between classes and practices. So, my biggest resolution though would be to give time to myself.”


Her friend and fellow LIU junior, Ana Sali, however, has different ambitions and projects in mind.


“First, I want to travel more, as I am taking French and Spanish classes, a European trip is on my list," said Sali. "Second, I want to be more organized.”


According to the “Top 10 Most Common New Year’s Resolutions” by Go Skills, the two first most common resolutions by people are to exercise more and to lose weight.


Following those two resolutions, being organized, learning a new skill or hobby, living life to the fullest and saving money are also a part of the most common New Year’s resolutions.


Alizée Brossier, a 22-year-old student, explained how her resolution for this 2022 did not turn out as planned.


“Last year, at the same time of the year, I said to myself that I am going to save money. And yet, I found myself shopping every weekend either online or with my friends in town,” said Brossier.


But the real question, “is how can resolutions be followed?”


It’s easy to become overwhelmed by your goals, intrusive thoughts might start to flourish telling you to give up.


Taking your resolutions step by step can be a useful strategy to use in conquering your New Year’s resolutions.


For example, if the goal you are trying to achieve is to exercise more you can start by only going to the gym once or twice a week. If your body is not used to such activity, start going more regularly over time.


At the end of the day, you have to be intrinsically motivated to achieve your goals because once the newness of the year starts to wear off achieving your goals becomes that much more difficult.


Don’t let others tell you that your goals are unattainable and that you can’t accomplish your New Year’s resolutions because YOU CAN!



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